Course

Unit 1:
Introduction to Clinical Observation and Healthcare Settings, Overview of course objectives and expectations, Introduction to healthcare settings (hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities), Roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals
Unit 2:
Patient Care and Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Observation of patient assessments and care delivery, Interactions between healthcare providers and patients/families, Collaboration among healthcare team members (physicians, nurses, allied health professionals)
Unit 3:
Medical Procedures and Treatment Modalities, Observation of medical procedures (e.g., injections, wound care, vital signs monitoring), Introduction to diagnostic tests and imaging procedures, Review of common treatment modalities (medications, therapies, interventions)
Unit 4:
Patient Safety and Infection Control, Understanding of patient safety protocols and procedures, Observation of infection control measures (hand hygiene, personal protective equipment), Identification and reporting of safety hazards in clinical settings
Unit 5:
Ethical Considerations and Cultural Competence, Ethical principles in healthcare delivery (autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence), Cultural competence and sensitivity to patient diversity, Confidentiality, privacy, and informed consent in clinical practice
Unit 6:
Regulatory Requirements and Quality Improvement, Overview of healthcare regulations and standards (HIPAA, JCAHO, OSHA), Quality improvement initiatives and patient outcomes measurement, Role of accreditation and certification bodies in healthcare
Unit 7:
Reflection and Professional Development, Reflective exercises on clinical observations and experiences, Discussion of ethical dilemmas and challenging situations encountered during observations, Professional development opportunities and resources in healthcare
Unit 8:
Final Reflection and Integration, Synthesis of learning from clinical observations and discussions, Identification of personal learning goals and areas for further development, Development of a reflective portfolio or final project summarizing key insights and experiences

Preamble

Clinical Observation of Patient Care and Treatment Procedures is a graduate-level course designed to provide students with the opportunity to observe various aspects of patient care and medical procedures in clinical settings. Through direct observation, students will gain insights into the delivery of healthcare services, interdisciplinary collaboration, and patient-provider interactions. The course will focus on understanding the roles of healthcare professionals, patient safety protocols, and ethical considerations in clinical practice. Through structured observations, reflective exercises, and discussions, students will develop a deeper understanding of healthcare delivery and enhance their clinical observational skills.

Course outcome

CO1: To provide students with opportunities to observe patient care and treatment procedures in clinical settings.
CO2: To familiarize students with the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals involved in patient care.
CO3: To develop observational skills for assessing patient interactions, communication, and clinical procedures.
CO4: To understand patient safety protocols, infection control measures, and regulatory requirements in healthcare settings.
CO5: To explore ethical considerations, cultural competence, and professionalism in clinical practice.
CO6: To promote reflection and critical thinking about healthcare delivery and patient experiences.

Program outcome (PO)

PO1: Utilize scientific principles and methodologies to design innovative solutions for data analysis, experimentation, and product development for challenges in translational research.
PO2: Recognize the importance of environmental sustainability in translational research and strive to minimize adverse environmental impacts.
PO3: Engage in ethical conduct, leadership, active listening, constructive feedback, and interpersonal communication to facilitate productive collaborations and knowledge exchange.
PO4: Acquire fundamental and advanced knowledge and skills in project management, financial planning, and entrepreneurship relevant to translational research ventures and initiatives.
3 = High Affinity, 2 = Medium Affinity, 1 = Low Affinity, – = No Affinity

Program Specific Outcome (PSO)

PSO1: Addresses the complexity of interdisciplinary sciences in biological and medical contexts.
PSO2: Deals with regulatory affairs in medicine, covering topics such as ethical considerations and regulatory frameworks.
PSO3: Covers compounds as drugs and their efficacy, involving pharmacology and drug development.
PSO4: Explores the intersection of bioinformatics and artificial intelligence in biology and medicine.
PSO5: Deals with technology in personalizing medicine, involving precision medicine approaches.
PSO6: Focuses on communicating and disseminating science and medicine to the public, involving science communication and public outreach efforts.

Martin Wehling, Principles of Translational Science in Medicine: From Bench to Bedside, Academic Press.